Improvement in devices for coupling cars



L. L. BOND.

Devices for Coupling Cars.

NO. 136,640, PatentedMarchH,1873.

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LESTER L. BOND, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN DEVICES FOR COUPLING CARS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,640, dated March 11, 1873.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, Lnsrrnn L. BOND, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Device for Coupling Cars; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof,thatwillenableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofgthis specification.

The nature of my invention consists in providing an extension from the hand or fore-arm for coupling cars, so that the operator can couple cars without danger to hishand or hands from the coming in contact with the bumpers or draw-bars, and also without endangering his life, as these extensions can be made long enough to enable him to guide or enter the coupling link and pin without placing himself between the cars. I

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extension as applied to a glove. Fig. 2 is a side view of an extension with detail. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of an extension with detail; and Fig. 4, a side .view of an extension, showing .by dotted lines a rear projection or extension back to a strap or band placed on the arm.

a is a thumb-extension; b and c, finger-extensions d, joint; 0, rear projection';- ;and f, thimble. These extensions may be made of sheet metal, as shown at Fig. l, or they may be made of steel or iron rods provided with thiinbles, as shown at Fig. 2. Joints are not necessary to their use or operation, but for convenience of folding, so that the device or these metal extensions can be carried in the pocket. They may be provided with one or more joints, as shown at Fig. 3. When they are made short--that is, not exceeding fifteen inches in length-it will be found advantageous to attach them to a strap on the hand or toa glove, as shown at Fig. 1, but the glove shown can also represent the hand, as they may be applied direct without the intervention of a glove. When they are made long it will be found advantageous to carry them back to a band or strap placed on the arm, and, if desired, a rule-joint or other suitable one may be placed under the knuckle-joints of the hand so as to give a greater movement, but with a flexible movement of the thumb-exten sion the finger-extensions may be comparatively rigid. By turning up theends of the linger-extensions so as to form a small hook on the outer end of each, coupling pins or bolts can be more easily withdrawn.

A modification of this device can be made by strapping a bar to the fore-arm and hand, and providing the outer end of such bar with a clamp to be operated by the thumb or fingers through a connecting-rod.

These extensions, or this device, will be found easy in operation and useful in saving life and limbs in coupling cars, and also useful for other purposes.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A device for grasping and holding coup ling-links extending from the hand or arm and manipulated by the fingers so as to enable the operator to stand at a safe distance from the cars, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of a thumb-extension, a, and one or more finger-extensions, b or c, with a glove or other device for connecting them together at the hand, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of January, 1873.

LESTER L. BOND.

Witnesses CHAS. H. WATSON, EDM. F. BROWN. 

